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Caste-based Discrimination: Abuse Of Human Rights
By Kathmandu Metro Reporter in Kathmandu
New York based Human Rights Watch has written that caste-based discrimination is the abuse of human rights similar to the apartheid in south Africa in the past; Governments in India and other caste-affected countries should support the new UN framework to eliminate caste discrimination.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has made a strong call to end caste discrimination. In an opinion article, Pillay stated, "The time has come to eradicate the shameful concept of caste," and called on the international community to come together "as it did when it helped put an end to apartheid." She argued, "Other seemingly insurmountable walls, such as slavery and apartheid, have been dismantled in the past" and concluded, "We can and must tear down the barriers of caste too."
"Governments in India and other caste-affected countries should support the new UN framework to eliminate caste discrimination," said Rikke Nöhrlind, coordinator, International Dalit Solidarity Network. "It is time for these nations to cooperate with the UN to address a human rights issue that affects 260 million people."
As many as 200 millions of the victims of caste discrimination reside in India; Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also have sizeable victims of caste discrimination, where they are known as dalits. A large number of people are affected by caste discrimination also in Japan, Yemen, and several African countries and communities in Africa.
A key step for caste-affected countries is to adopt the UN principles and guidelines on caste discrimination: the first comprehensive UN framework to prevent and address this serious human rights abuse. In her article, Pillay called on "all states to rally around and endorse these norms." The adoption of the guidelines could lead to the establishment of a UN monitoring mechanism on caste discrimination.
Nepal recently expressed its support for the guidelines describing them as a "good reference" and "useful tools," and the EU also expressed support for these guidelines.
"Nepal's response is an example for other governments," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Political will to end this scourge is needed at all levels of government to alter traditional attitudes and turn well-meaning laws into reality."
On September 17, 2009, a group of international nongovernmental organizations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Nepal joined forces with victims of caste discrimination at a side event in Geneva to inform governments about the guidelines. The event triggered a considerable amount of media debate.
"Dalits and similarly discriminated-against communities across the globe have been oppressed for thousands of years," said Paul Divakar, General Secretary of the NCDHR in India. "India's ban on caste-based discrimination will not be effective unless the government makes it a priority to enforce it. Violence and other human rights abuses against dalits are still committed with impunity. The government should work with the international community to address this problem."
